Method of pumping liquids.



H. M. & T. M. CHANCE. METHOD OF PUMPING LIQUTDS.

APPLIUATION FILED NOV.5,1010.

Patented Mar. 2 6,1 912.

uni sinus PATENT eerie.

HENRY M. CHANGE AND 'JJIEIOll/IAS M. CHANCE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

Application filed November 5, 1910. Serial No. 590,790.

' panying drawings.

Our invention relates to new and useful I improvements in the methods of pumping liquids, and by the term liquids we mean to include simple liquids, mixtures of -liquids, and of liquids and solids capable of being pumped.

Our improved method of pumping is especially adapted for use in operating directacting pumpsdriven by a. medium having high initial pressure and expansive force, such as steam, compressed air, or an ignited combustible mixture.

Our invention consists of an etlicient method of causing a portion of the high pressure energy developed during the first part of the stroke, while the pressure of the prime'medium is relatively high, to discharge liquid against relatively high pres sure, and of causing the balance of this high pressure energy and all ofthe energy developed during the low pressure portion of the stroke, to impart velocity to a body of liquid and of causing the momentum of said body of liquid to draw in a fresh increment of liquid and to store energy in a relatively low pressure accumulator. By our method of pumping, liquids can be pumped against pressures greater than the mean effective pressure developed in the pump chamber, (whereas in operating directacting pumps by methods in present use this cannot be done efliciently), and also against any pressure which is less than such mean effective pressure and greater than that of the low pressure accumulator used.

In' an application for Letters Patent filed by the above named Thomas M. Chance, individually, under date of August 5th,'1910,

, being Serial No. 57 5,669, there is described and claimed a method of pumping liquids which is appropriate to the present invention. Since, however, this is an individual invention of said Thomas M. Chance, it will be understood that the present application is subsidiary thereto, and that the methods therein described are not particularly claimed herein.

In methods of pumping wherein a body of liquid free to oscillate between a prime mover and an accumulator is used. as an oscillating fly-wheel and also as a liquid piston to transmit, to absorb and to give out energy, and in which the liquid to be pumped is drawn in by a reduction in pressure in the region adjacent to the rear end of said moving body of liquid, it is possible to discharge liquid from any portion of said oscillating body of liquid, by connecting said oscillating body of liquid with a high pressure accumulator, or a region of high pressure discharge, maintaincd at the pressure at which it is desired to discharge liquid, but in order to increase efficiency and avoid a wasteful dissipation of energy, it is necessary to intcrposca substantial body of liquid between said hlgh pressure accumu-' later or region ofdischargc and the intake for liquid, or between said high pressure accumulator or region of' discharge and the said oscillating body of liquid. The interposed body of liquid acts as a piston to transmit energy directly to said high pressure accumulator, or region of discharge, and to develop a condition of low pressure at a region of intake relatively remote from the discharge, and also acts as a fly-wheel to absorb the excess of actuating pressure over that of the accumulator pressure during the initial part of the stroke, and to give out such energy when the actuating pressure, by reason of the expansion of the prime medium, has fallen below that of the high pressure accumulator.

In the drawings, Figures I, II, and III, illustrate diagrammatlcally, two types of apparatus which may be used in carrying out our method. In these three drawings the application of energy to the body of liquid is illustrated by an ordinarytype of outside packed plunger, butthis is intended to be typical of any type of actuator. Fig. I, shows a central vertical longitudinal section of such an apparatus and Fig. II, shows a similar sectional view of the same apparatus, but in which'the high pressure valve is difsuch distance from said low pressure chamber 5, that the conduit 4, between said point.

ferently located, in order to illustrate the fact that such change in the locationof this valve does not afi'ect the operation of the method. Fig. III, is a central vertical 1ongitudinal section of another type of apparatus adapted to the use of our method. Fig. IV, is a central vertical longitudinal section showing, diagrammatically, a means for maintainingthe pressure in the low pressure air chamber at the proper pressure.

In the form of apparatus adapted to carry out our improved method of pumping liquids shown in Fig. I, of the drawings, 1, represents a plunger which is connected with any suitable prime mover by a rod 2, and which operates in the enlarged end or pump chamber 3, of a hydraulic conduit 4, of any desired shape. Said conduit 4, as herein shown, is straight and is horizontally arranged and is circular in cross-section. The conduit 4, terminates, at the opposite end from the pump chamber 3, in the low pressure chamber 5. In the drawings this pressure chamber is represented simply as an inclosed air chamber, but it must be understood that this is typical of any form of accumulator, or organization which has the function of absorbing energy and again giving it out as useful work. Inlet valves 7, connect with an intake 8, and serve as a means through which liquid may be drawn from the intake 8, into the conduit 4. A pumping main 9, is connected through a conduit 10, with the pump chamber 3, of the conduit 4. This conduit 10, is not necessarily connected to the enlargement 8, of the conduit 4, but may be connected to said conduit 4, at any desired pointbetween said pump chamber and the low pressure chamber 5, provided that such connection be at of connection and said chamber 5,'will contain a body of liquid of sufficient inertia and suitable dimensionsto substantially retard the expansion of the prime medium. A valve 11, in this instance located near the enlargement 3, prevents the back-flow of liquid from the pumping main 9, or region of discharge.

An air chamber 12,which is intended to be typical of an accumulator, or organiza- I maintained at'the pressure at which it is de-,

tion which has the function of absorbing energy, and again giving it out in useful worlg'is'connectedto the conduit 10., and is sired to discharge liquid. Under certain conditions this air-chamber 12, is not essential to the operation of our method of pumping and can be dispensed with, provided the dimensions of the body of liquid'contained in the pump main 9, are such that said body ofliquid will oppose the proper resistance to the actuating pressure and will absorb the excess energy of the high initial pressure valve 16, remains closed. 17 prevents the pressure at anytime from over that necessary, to discharge liquid, and eiiect the desired sub-division of the total actuating energy between the low pressure accumulator and the high pressure discharge. The body of liquid which is relied upon to; control the high pressure discharge is, in cases of this kind, that interposed between the inlet for liquid and the point of ultimate discharge at the terminus of the pump main 9. This high pressure chamher 12, contains air at the pressure agamst which the liquid is to be pumped, and the low pressure chamber 5, contains air at a less pressure. The quantity of air in chamher 5, may be maintained nearly constant by any suitable means in common use for this purpose. One method of said regulation is illustratedin Fig. IV, in which we have shown the high pressure chamber 12, connected to the low pressure chamber 5, by a pipe 13, in which is a pressure reducmg valve 14, of the ordinary construction,

adapted to supply air tothe low pressure chamber 5, at a predetermined pressure. A

float 15, opensand closes the valve 16, which controls the admission of air to the chamber 5. So long as the chamber 5, contains a certain predetermined-quantity of air, the A blow-ofi' valve rising above a predetermined maximum. lzhe high pressure chamber .12, may be supplied with air at the desired pressure by 7 any means in common use for such purpose.

In carrying out our method by the above described apparatus, the plunger or actuatorl, is actuated by an expanding medium and the high initial pressure of'the prime mover, transmitted to the plunger will develop a correspondingly high initial pressure in the pump chamber 3, of the conduit '4. .This high pressure will be transmitted through the liquid acting as a piston in the conduit 10, causing the valve In 11, to open, and liquid to flow into the high pressure chamber 12, and pump main 9. At

the same time a part of the. energy of the actuator 1, is expended iii-developing ve locityin' the body of liquid, in conduit 4, driving itagainst the pressure of air in the air chamber 5. The inertia of this body of liquid prevents high velocity being obtained therein during the shcrt-"time'consumed in making this first part of-the powerstroke i and: l erefore a considerable portion of the high gre ssure energy is expended in pump ing liquid through the valve 11, into the conduit'l0,-high pressure chamber 12, and pump main9 expanson of the medium driving the prime mover will be attended by rapid fall in pressure and after the pressure developed by the thrust of the plunger or actuator 1, becomes less than the pressure in. the chamber As the plunger continues its travel, the Q this pressure will assist the 12, the liquid in the conduit 10, will, after its momentum has been expended in doing work, come to rest and the Valve 11, will close. The plunger will continue to act upon the body of liquid in the conduit 4, throughout the balance of the power stroke and impart to this body of liquid and through it to the low pressure chamber 5, the energy developed during this part of the stroke. At the end of the power stroke. the plunger 1, comes to rest, but the body of liquid in conduit 4, continues in motion and 'thus produces a region of low pressure at the intake, causing the inlet valves 7, to open and liquid to How in, or to be drawn in. through them. \Vhcn the body of liquid in theconduit -l, comes to rest, the inlet valves 7. close, and the pressure in the chamher 5, acting upon the liquid in the conduit 4, forces the actuator 1, to make its return stroke, or it the machine be double acting, actuator in male ing its return power stroke; thus utilizing the liquid in conduit 4t, as a piston and also as a liquid fly-wheel.

If the conduit 10, be connected to the conduit 4, at a point nearer to the low pressure accumulator 5, than the pump chamber 3, then the maximum pressure to which liquid can be pumped will be less than when such connection is made directly at the region of the pump chamber.

The construction shown in Fig. IT, is identical with that just describcd and the parts are indicated by similar numerals, except the valve which prevents back flow from the region of work at high pressure, which valve in this instance, is numbered 18, and is located at a distance from the plunger."

Figs. I, and 11, show what may be considered as one extreme of the general a1- rangement, in which the conduit 10, containing a body of liquid interposed between the high pressure accumulator and the oscillating body of liquid in the conduit 4, is connected to said conduit 4, at the end of said condnit, directly adjacent to the. actuator,

and iirwhich the two conduits at, and 10, are entirely separate.

Fig. Ill, shows another type of construction which may be considered as the other extreme type of arrangement, in that the conduit 10. is combined throughout its whole length with a portion of conduit 4.-

Similar indicating numerals to those employed in Fig. ll, are used in connection with Fig. TIT, to emphasize the general identity oF principle. in this type of construction a portion of the liquid in the combined conduits is made to perform the functions of the separately interposed body of liquid contained in the-separate conduit 10, illustrated in Figs. I, and II.

It Will be understood that the construction may be varied between these illustrated extremes, and that the conduits may be separate throughout their lengths, combined throughout the length of one, or combined thrmighout a portion of the length of both.

It is obvious that by using two or more conduits, our method of pumping may be used to pump liquids through two or more mains against ditt'erent pressures. It is also obvious that our method is not limited to the use of a plunger or actuator driven by an expanding medium, but may also be employed where the expanding medium itself is directly added in contact with the liquid to be pumped. lVe use the term pump chamber, therefore, without restriction to the types shown in the drawings, and as indicating generally that portion of the system at which the energy of the prime medium is applied in the first instance.

It. will thus be seen that in our improved method of pumping the energy supplied by the actuating medium must be divided n certain proportions (which vary with the conditions), between a region of high pressure discharge and a relatively low pressure accumulator, and that we effect this division by so proportioning the relative dimensions and connections of the bodies of liquid through and by which said energy is transmitted as to produce the desired division and at the same time secure high etliciency in the utilization of said energy in useful work. For the attainment of such efficiency it is essential that there shall be a body of liquid of substantial volume and extension interposed between the region of a.pplica-' tion of power to the liquid and the region of discharge, in order that the expansion of the prime medium should be sufficiently retarded to obviate wasteful dissipation of energy in excessive velocity of discharge. In the types shown in the figures, the region of discharge may be considered to be at the high pressure acciunulator 12, and point of communication with the main 9.

Yo do not herein claim the apparatus shown and described in the present application, since this apparatus has been made the subject of an application for Letters Patent of the United States filed by us un-,

der date of January 10th, 1912, being Serial No. 670,356. Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. The 'hereinbefore described method of nun'iin li uids b means of the ener t: b.

of a medium having high initial pressure and expansive force; which consists in cansing said medium to impart. pressure and movement to a body of liquid, a portion of which is interposed between a pump chamber and a relatively low pressure accumulator and a portion of which is interposed betweenan inlet for liquid and a region of relatively high pressure discharge, the respectlve portions of said liquld being of such dlmensions as substantially to retard the expansion of said medium; transmitting pressure and energy by means of) said body of liquid to said regions of high and low pressure; discharging a portion of the liquid interposed between said inlet and said region of high pressure discharge; cutting oii communication with said region of high pressure discharge and permitting the actuating pressure to continue to act upon the portion of liquid interposed between the. pump chamber and said accumulator during the expansion of the prime medium; whereby a portion of the relatively high pressure energy of said medium is utilized to pump against relatively high pressure and the balance of available energy of said medium is utilized to perform work against relatively low pressure.

2. The hereinbefore described method of pumping liquids by means of the energy of a medium having high initial pressure and expansive force, which consists in causing said medium to impart pressure and movement to a body of liquid, a portion of which is interposed between a pump chamber and a relatively low pressure accumulator, and a portion of which is interposed between an inlet for liquid and a region of relatively 7 high pressure discharge; the respective pert-ions of said liquid being of such dimensions as substantially to retard the expansion of said medium; transmitting pressure and energy by means of said body of liquid to said regions of high and low pressure; discharging aportion of the liquid interposed between said inlet and said region of high pressure discharge; cut-ting oft communication with said region of high pressure discharge; permitting the actuating pressure to continue to act upon the portion of liquid interposed between the pump chamber and said accumulator during the expansion of the prime medium; causing the continued movement of the-liquid to create a region of low (pressure at said inlet; admitting a new increment of liquid through said inlet into said region of low pressure; cutting off communication between said inletand the source vof supply of liquid to be pumped and in causing the accumulator to react upon that portion of liquid interposed between said ump chamber and said accumulator to effect the return stroke thereof in preparation for the next out stroke thereof.

3. The hereinbefore described method of pumping liquids by means of the energy of a medium having high initial pressure:

and expansive force, which consists in causing said medium to impart pressure and movement to a loody of liquid, a portion of which} is interposed between a pump chamber and a relativelydowpressure accumulator and a portion of which is interposed between an inlet for liquid and a region of relatively high pressure discharge; the re spective portions of said liquid being of such dimensions substantially to retard the expansion ofsaid medium; transmitting pressure and energy by means of said body of liquid to said regions of high and low pressure; discharging a portion of the liquid interposed between said inlet and said region of'high pressure discharge; cutting off communication with said region of high pressure discharge; permitting the actuating pressure to continue to act upon the portion of liquid"interposed between the pump chamber and said accumulator during the expansion of the prime medium; causing the continued movement of the liquid to create a region of low pressure at said inlet; admitting a new increment of liquid through said inlet into said region of low pressure; cutting off communication between said inlet and the source of supply of liquid to be pumped and in causing the accumulator to react upon that portion of liquid interposed between said pump chamberand said accumulator to effect the return stroke thereof and to compress the prime medium in preparation for the next out stroke thereof.

4. The hercinhefore described method of pumping liquid by means of the energy of a medium having high initial pressure and expansive force, which consists in causing an actuator directly driven by said medium to impart pressure and. movement to a body 'of liquid, a portion of which is interposed between said actuator and a relatively low pressure accumulator and a portion of which is interposed between an inlet for liquid and a region of relatively high pressure discharge, the respective portions of said liquid being of such dimensions as substantially to retard the expansion of said me dium; transmitting pressure and energy by said body of liquid to said regions of high and low pressure; discharging a portion of the liquid interposed betweensaid inlet and said region of high pressuredischarge; cutting eii communication withsaid region of high pressure discharge; and permitting the actuator to continue to act upon the portion of liquid interposed between said actuator and saidaccumulator during the expansion of the prime medium; whereby a portion of p the relatively high pressure energy of said medium is utilized to pump liquid against relatively high pressure and the balance of available energy of said medium is utilized to perform work against relatively low pressure.

5. The hereinbefore described method of pumping liquids by means of thenenergy of a medium having high initial pressure and expansive force, which consists in ,causing an actuator directly driven by said'inedium to impart pressure and movement to a body of liquid, a portion of which is interposed between said actuator and a relatively low pressure accumulator and a portion of which is interposed between an inlet for liquid and a region of relatively high pressure discharge, the respective portions of said liquid being of such dimensions as substantially to retard the expansion of said medium; transmitting pressure and energy by said body of liquid to said regions of high and low pressure; discharging a portion of the liquid interposed between said inlet and said region of high pressure discharge; cutting off communication with said region of high pressure discharge; permitting the actuator to continue to act uponthe portion of liquid interposed between said actuator and said accumulator during the expansion ofthe prime medium; causing the continued movement of the liquid after the end of expansion of the prime medium to create a region of low pressure at said inlet; admitting a new increment of'liquid through said inlet into said region of low pressure; cutting oil communication between said inlet and the source of supply of liquid to be pumped and cans ing the accumulator to react upon that portion of liquid interposed between said actuator and said accumulator to effect the return stroke thereof in preparation of the next out stroke thereof.

6. The hereinbefore described method of pumping liquids by means of the energy of a medium having high initial pressure and expansive force which consists in causing an actuator directly driven by said medium to impart pressure and movement to a body of liquid, a portion of which is interposed between said actuator and a relatively low pressure accumulator and a portion of which is interposed between an inlet for liquid and a region of relatively high pressure dis charge, the respective portions of said liquid being of such dimensions as substantially to retard the expansion of said medium; transmitting ressure. and energy by said body of liquid to said regions of high and low pressure; discharging a portion of the liquid interposed between said inlet and said region of high pressure discharge; cutting off communication with said region of high pressure discharge; permitting the actuator to continue to act upon the portion of liquid interposed between said actuator and said accumulator during the expansion of the prime medium; causing the continued movement of the liquid after the end of expansion of the prime medium to create a region of low pressure at said inlet; admitting a new increment of liquid through said inlet into said region of low pressure; cutting ofl' communication between said inlet and the source of supply of liquid to be pumped and causing the accumulator to react upon that portion of liquid interposed between said actuator andsaid accumulator to ellect the return stroke of said actuator and to compress the prime medium in preparation for the next out stroke thereof.

7. The hereiubefore described method of pumping liquids by means of the energy of a medium having high initial pressure and expansive force, which consists in causing said medium to impart pressure and movement to a body of liquid, a portion of which is interposed between a pump chamber and a relatively low pressure accumulator and a portion of which is interposed between an inlet for liquid and a region of relatively high pressure discharge, the respective portions of said liquid being of such dimensions as substantially to retard the expansion of said medium; transmitting pressure and energy by said body of liquid to said regions of high and low pressure; discharging a portion of the liquid interposed between said inlet and said region of high pressure discharge; cutting oll' communication with said region of high pressure discharge; permitting the actuating pressure to continue to act upon the portion of liquid interposed between the pump chamber and said accumulator during the expansion of the prime medium; controlling the pressure at which liquid is discharged and the quantity discharged per stroke by the location of the point at which that portion of the body of liquid through which liquid is discharged diverges from that portion which is interposed between the pump chamber and said accumulator, (whereby when said location is relatively nearer the accumulator a large volume per stroke can be discharged at relatively low pressure and when said location is relatively remote from said accumulator a small volume per stroke can be discharged at relatively high pressure, and whereby a portion of the relatively high pressure energy of said medium is utilized to pump liquid against relatively high pressure and,

the balance of available energy of said medium is utilized to perform work against relatively low. pressure), in causing the continued travel of the first mentioned portion of liquid to draw in a new increment of liquid to be pumped and in causing the ac cumulator to react upon said body of liquid to effect the return stroke thereof.

8.].In a method of pumping liquid by means of a body of liquid which is free to oscillate between a source of high pressure energy and a relatively low pressure accumulator in order to transmit, absorb and give out'energy, and in which liquid is drawn in and is discharged by changes in .pressureproduced by the application of said energy and by the oscillations of said body of liquid; the hereinbefore described improvement which consists in transmltting pressure and" energy from said oscillating 'body of liquid to a body of liquid interposed between said oscillating body of liquid and a relatively high pressure accumulator, said interposed body of liquid being of such dimensions as to perform the functions of a fly-wheel in eiiiciently absorbing and giving out energy; permitting liquid to discharge into said ,high pressure accumulator; and closing the communications between said high pressure accumulator and said oscil- HENRY M. CHANCE. THOMAS M. CHANCE. Witnesses:

JAMES H. BELL, E. L. FULLERTON. 

